JP2002039574A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with supply work of water by user by enabling a humidifier to be installed easily, even in existing buildings. SOLUTION: This humidifier is provided with a moisture-permeable film unit 3; a water supply pipe 6, which performs water supply from the bottom end of the moisture-permeable film unit 3; an amount-of-water supply regulator 4, which is connected between city water and the water supply pipe 6 and regulates the quantity of water supplied to the moisture-permeable film unit 3; a cross flow fan 5, a drain pan 8, which receives water overflowing from the moisture-permeable film unit 3; a float switch 81 which detects the water level within the drain pan 8; and a drain pump 9 which discharges the water within the drain pan 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier for supplying humidified air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Humidifiers for supplying steam to a room have been used in order to prevent the room from becoming too dry.

[0003] As a humidifier, an inexpensive desktop type which can be easily installed is usually used. This desktop humidifier mainly includes a water supply tank and a heater. And
The water in the water supply tank is heated by a heater, and steam is supplied into the room to humidify the room.

A built-in type humidifier combined with an air conditioner and a ventilation system has already been provided. When combined with an air conditioner, the humidification unit
At the time of construction, it will be installed together with the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. When combined with a ventilation system, the humidification unit is installed in a ventilation unit provided outside the room at the time of construction. Such a humidifying unit includes a moisture absorbing element and a heater. Then, moisture in the outside air is absorbed by the moisture absorbing element, a part of the moisture absorbing element is heated by the heater, and the extracted moisture is supplied into the room together with the air to humidify the room.

[0005]

Since the above-mentioned tabletop humidifier does not have an automatic water supply function, it is necessary for the user to supply water to the water supply tank. In particular, when a plurality of humidifiers are installed, maintenance is troublesome. On the other hand, a built-in type humidifier has a problem that installation cost is high to introduce it into an existing building, and it cannot be installed depending on the structure of the building.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily install a humidifier even in an existing building. Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a user to supply water in a humidifier.

[0007]

The humidifier according to the present invention comprises:
A plurality of moisture-permeable membrane hollow tubes formed of a moisture-permeable membrane that allows only water vapor are housed in a casing so that air can pass through the hollow portion, and the outside of the moisture-permeable membrane hollow tube is A water-permeable membrane unit having a water storage section in the casing so as to be surrounded by water, a water supply pipe for supplying water into the casing from below when the moisture-permeable membrane unit is installed, and between the city water and the water supply pipe. And water supply adjusting means for adjusting the amount of water supplied into the casing, and blowing means for passing air through the hollow portion of the moisture permeable membrane hollow tube and discharging the humidified air to the outside.

Here, the water supply amount adjusting means can be configured to include an opening / closing means for opening and closing a flow path from city water to the water supply pipe, and an opening / closing control means for controlling on / off of the opening / closing means. .

Further, the opening / closing means may be an air release valve with a solenoid valve. Further, the water supply amount adjusting means may be configured to further include a strainer for removing impurities from water supplied from city water.

[0010] The water supply amount adjusting means may further include a flow controller for adjusting the amount of water supplied from city water. Further, the flow regulator can be constituted by any of a flow regulating valve, an orifice, a capillary, and a pressure reducing valve.

[0011] Further, when water is supplied in excess of the capacity of the water storage section, an overflow pipe attached to be drained from above the casing to the outside may be further provided.

At this time, a drainage treatment section for draining water overflowing from the overflow pipe can be provided. This drainage treatment section can be configured to include a drain pan for collecting water overflowed from the overflow pipe and a drain pipe provided at the bottom of the drain pan for performing natural drainage. A drain pan, and a drain pump for forcibly sucking up water from the drain pan.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration including a drain pipe for transporting the water sucked up by the drain pump.

Further, a water sensor for detecting water overflowing from the overflow pipe may be further provided, and a flow switch for detecting that the amount of water accumulated in the drain pan has reached a predetermined amount is further provided. It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided.

[0014] The opening / closing control means may be configured to perform opening / closing control of the opening / closing means at a constant water supply time every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidifying operation, in order to compensate for the amount of water predicted to be used.

In this case, the fixed water supply time can be set to a time slightly exceeding the water supply time when the water storage section becomes full. Further, the opening / closing control means starts the water supply to the water storage unit every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidification operation, and terminates the water supply when the water sensor detects the overflow water from the overflow pipe. Can be configured to control opening and closing.

Further, the opening / closing control means starts water supply to the water storage section every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidifying operation, and when the float switch detects that the water amount in the drain pan has reached a predetermined amount, the water supply is performed. Can be configured to control the opening and closing means so as to end the operation.

The moisture permeable membrane unit includes a plurality of unit cells each composed of a plurality of hollow moisture permeable membrane tubes and a water storage unit, and water supplied from a water supply pipe is supplied to the unit cells in series or in parallel. It can be configured as follows.

Further, the humidifier main body accommodating the moisture permeable membrane unit and the blowing means integrally in a casing, and a water supply amount adjusting means connected to the moisture permeable membrane unit in the humidifier main body via a water supply pipe. And a water supply amount adjusting unit housed in a casing formed separately from the casing of the humidifier body.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] <Schematic Configuration> One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 1
Is a moisture permeable membrane unit 3 housed in the main body casing 2.
A water supply amount adjusting unit 4 for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3; and a cross flow fan 5 for blowing air passing through the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 into the room.

The moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be constructed by connecting a plurality of unit cells of the moisture permeable membrane unit.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which five unit cells 30 are connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 3, a unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit includes a jacket 31 and a pair of tube sheets 32, 33.
And The jacket 31 is a substantially rectangular frame member, and a water supply unit 34 is provided at a lower end thereof.
A drain (not shown) for draining overflow water is provided at the upper end.

Each of the tube sheets 32 and 33 is a plate-shaped member having a shape corresponding to the opening of the jacket 31 and has a plurality of through holes at corresponding positions. Tube sheets 32, 33
The hollow tube having the same width as the jacket 31 is inserted and fixed in each of the tube through holes, and the tube sheets 32 and 33 are inserted into the openings of the jacket 31.
Are fixed, the unit cell 30 is formed.

The moisture permeable membrane hollow tube is made of, for example, a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and does not allow water as a liquid to pass therethrough, but passes only gas water molecules (water vapor). A hole is formed. The moisture permeable membrane hollow tube is inserted into and fixed to the through holes of the tube sheets 32 and 33 so that the jacket 31 and the tube sheet 3 are fixed.
The water is supplied to the water storage portion composed of the water supply sections 2 and 33, and the outside is surrounded by the water supplied from one side of the tube sheets 32 and 33, so that the air is supplied with moisture and discharged to the other side. Is done.

The unit cells 30 thus configured are connected in series as shown in FIG. 1, and the water supply pipe 6 is connected to the water supply section 34 of one unit cell 30. Each unit cell 30
Are connected by a drain pipe 7 connecting a drain section and a water supply section to an adjacent unit cell 30, and an overflow pipe 7 connected to a drain section of the final unit cell 30.
1 is open. When water is supplied from the water supply pipe 6, each unit cell 30 is filled in order, and when the last unit cell 30 becomes full, excess water is drained from the overflow pipe 71 to the outside of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3. It is configured to flow into the main body casing 2.

A water supply adjusting unit 4 connected between the water supply pipe 6 and the city water includes a strainer 41 for removing impurities from the water supplied from the city water, and a flow controller for adjusting the water pressure. 42 and an on-off valve 43.

As the flow regulator 42, any one of an electric valve, an orifice, a capillary, a pressure reducing valve and the like capable of adjusting a flow rate can be used, and a water pressure from city water is directly applied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3. It is something that does not happen. By providing such a flow controller 42,
It is possible to prevent excessive water pressure from being applied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 and prevent the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 from being damaged. If the components in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 have a sufficient pressure resistance, the flow regulator 42 can be omitted.

As the on-off valve 43, an atmosphere release valve with a solenoid valve can be used, and it is also possible to constitute a combination of a check valve and a solenoid valve. The opening / closing valve 43 is controlled to be opened / closed by an opening / closing control unit described later, and opens and closes water supply from the city water to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3.

As the open-to-atmosphere valve with a solenoid valve used as the on-off valve 43, for example, the one shown in FIG. 4 can be used. The air release valve with electromagnetic valve 430 has a water supply port 431 connected to the city water side, a first water supply chamber 436, a second water supply chamber 437, and a drain port 435. Water supply port 431
An electromagnetic valve 432, which is opened and closed by turning on and off an electric signal, is provided between the first water supply chamber 436 and the first water supply chamber 436. In the first water supply chamber 436, the first
When the water supply chamber 436 and the second water supply chamber 437 are shut off, the second water supply chamber 437 is urged to open to the atmosphere.
When water is supplied into the first water supply chamber 346 from the city water side, an opening valve 433 that moves in a direction (downward in FIG. 4) in which the first water supply chamber 436 and the second water supply chamber 437 communicate with each other due to the water pressure is provided. ing. Further, a second water supply chamber 437 and a drain port 435 are provided.
A check valve 434 that allows water to flow from the second water supply chamber 437 side and does not allow water to pass from the drain port 435 side is provided between them. Atmospheric release valve with solenoid valve 4 configured as above
If 30 is used, water supply control to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be easily performed by on / off control of the electromagnetic valve 432, and bordering with city water when off can be performed.

A drain pan 8 for storing water discharged from the overflow pipe 71 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the main casing 2. In the drain pan 8, there is provided a float switch 81 for detecting that the level of the stored water has reached a certain level.

A drain pump 9 for sucking up water in the drain pan 8 is provided. Drain pump 9
Is connected to a drain pipe 10, and is configured to drain the water sucked from the drain pan 8 through the drain pipe 10.

An electrical component 11 including a control unit for controlling the driving of the on-off valve 43, the drain pump 9, the cross flow fan 5, and the like is mounted in the main body casing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body casing 2 has a suction port 13 provided at a lower portion on the front surface, and a blower port 14 provided at an upper portion on the front surface. It is configured such that indoor air is sucked in from the inlet 13 and air humidified through the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is sent into the room through the blower port 14. It is also possible to provide the suction port 13 at the upper part of the front of the main body casing 2 and to provide the blower port 14 at the lower part of the front of the main body casing 2. Is also possible.

<Opening / Closing Control Unit> The electric component 11 installed in the main casing 2 includes a control unit composed of a microcomputer or the like. FIG. 5 shows a simplified control block diagram.

The control unit 111 is constituted by a microcomputer, and the ROM 11 in which an operation program is stored
2. A RAM 113 for temporarily storing various parameters is connected.

The control unit 111 is connected to a float switch 81 provided on the drain pan 8 so as to receive a detection signal from the float switch 81.

Further, the control unit 111 includes an on-off valve 43,
A drain pump 9, a fan motor 51 for driving the cross flow fan 5, and the like are connected. Opening / closing control regarding water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the operation is started, the fan motor 51 is turned on in step S1 to start blowing air into the room. In step S2, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is started. Here, the on-off valve 43 is turned on to be in an open state, and water from city water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3.

In step S3, the float switch 81
It is determined whether or not is turned on. City water to strainer 4
1. When water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 via the flow controller 42, the on-off valve 43, and the water supply pipe 6, water is filled from the lower end of the first unit cell 30, and this unit cell When 30 becomes full, water is supplied to the second unit cell 30 through the drainage pipe 7. Thereafter, when each unit cell 30 is sequentially filled with water, excess water is drained from the overflow pipe 71 provided in the final unit cell 30.
The drained water is stored in the drain pan 8, and when the water in the drain pan 8 reaches a certain water level, the float switch 81 detects this.

In step S3, if an ON signal is received from the float switch 81, the process proceeds to step S3.
Move to 4. In step S4, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is stopped. Here, the on-off valve 43 is turned off to be in a closed state, and the supply of water from city water is stopped.

In step S5, the water supply timer is turned on.
The water supply timer counts the operation time after each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 becomes full, and can be set by a register of the control unit 111.

In step S6, the drain pump 9 is turned on at the same time when the water supply is stopped and the water supply timer is turned on. Thereby, the water stored in the drain pan 8 is drained through the drain pipe 10.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the float switch 81 has been turned off. When the off signal from the float switch 81 is received, it is determined that the amount of water stored in the drain pan 8 has fallen below a certain amount, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the operation of the drain pump 9 is stopped.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the water supply timer has reached a predetermined time. Here, the humidifier 1
A predetermined time is set in advance as a predetermined time period in which a constant amount of water in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is consumed and the humidification efficiency is reduced by the continuous operation, and the operation time counted by the water supply timer is set to the predetermined time period. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed.
If it is determined that the water supply timer has reached the predetermined time set in advance, the value of the water supply timer is reset and the process proceeds to step S2.

FIG. 7 shows a control time chart of the main power supply, the water supply solenoid valve of the on-off valve 43, the float switch 81, the drain pump 9, and the fan motor 51 during operation. <Modifications> (A) The float switch 81 may be omitted, and a water sensor for detecting water discharged from the overflow pipe 71 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 may be provided. In this case, in the above-described example, it is possible to configure such that each part is controlled using the on / off of the water sensor instead of the on / off of the float switch 81.
(B) As shown in FIG. 8, each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be connected in parallel. in this case,
A water supply pipe 6 is connected to a water supply section 34 provided at the lower end of each unit cell 30.
Are connected in parallel, the drainage pipe 7 is connected in parallel to a drainage section provided at the upper end, and drainage is performed via an overflow pipe 71 extending from the drainage pipe 7.

<Effects of the First Embodiment> In the first embodiment configured as described above, the water that overflows from the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is detected by the float switch 81 (or the water sensor). Can be reduced as much as possible.

Further, since water is supplied from the lower end of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 and overflows from the upper end, each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be reliably filled with water and the humidification efficiency can be improved. It is possible to always keep it high.

Further, since water is supplied when the amount of water in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 consumed by the continuous operation exceeds a certain amount, it is necessary to always obtain a constant humidification efficiency. Is possible.

Further, the provision of the strainer 41 for removing impurities from the city water prevents the dust and the like from entering the moisture permeable membrane unit 3. Since the flow regulator 42 is provided, it is possible to prevent a large water pressure from being applied to the elements in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 at the time of supplying water, and to reduce a water hammer phenomenon.

Further, since the atmosphere opening valve 430 with the electromagnetic valve is used as the opening / closing valve 43, the separation with the city water can be reliably performed, and the influence of the water pressure of the city water is eliminated.

Also, since the water in the drain pan 8 is forcibly drained, there is a degree of freedom in drainage piping, and there is no need to provide a drain hose below.
It is possible to configure a floor-mounted humidifier.

Second Embodiment <Schematic Configuration> FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the drain pipe 18 is provided below the drain pan 8, and the water received by the drain pan 8 is naturally drained from the water distribution pipe 18. In this case, the configurations of the float switch 81 and the drain pump 9 can be omitted.

<Opening / Closing Control> In the second embodiment, since the water collected in the drain pan 8 is naturally drained through the drain pipe 18, the overflow amount from the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 may be set slightly larger. it can. Therefore, the amount of water supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be set to an amount that is expected to make each unit cell 30 full, and the amount of water supplied exceeds the amount of water that is estimated to be consumed during the continuous operation time. It is set in advance as a predetermined water supply amount.

Water is supplied by opening the on-off valve 43 only for the time required to supply the predetermined amount of water to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3, and a certain amount of water in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is consumed, and the humidification efficiency is reduced. The water supply is performed when the continuous operation is performed for a time estimated to decrease. The operation in this case is shown as a flowchart in FIG.

When the operation is started, the fan motor 51 is turned on in step S11 to start blowing air into the room. In step S12, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is started. Here, the on-off valve 43 is turned on to be in an open state, and water from city water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3.

In step S13, the first timer is turned on. The first timer counts the time from when the on-off valve 43 is turned on to start supplying water, and can be configured by a register of the control unit 111.

In step S14, it is determined whether or not the time counted by the first timer has reached a first predetermined time. The first predetermined time is set to a time required to supply a predetermined water supply amount exceeding a water amount estimated to be consumed during the continuous operation time described above. If the first timer determines that the first predetermined time has been reached, step S
Move to 15.

In step S15, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is stopped. Here, the on-off valve 43 is turned off to be in a closed state, and the supply of water from city water is stopped. In step S16, the second timer is turned on. This second timer is
This is the same as the water supply timer in the first embodiment, and counts the operation time after each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 becomes full, and is set by a register in the control unit 111. be able to.

A step S17 decides whether or not the second timer has reached a second predetermined time. The continuous operation of the humidifier 1 consumes a certain amount of water in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 and sets a time period in which the humidification efficiency is estimated to decrease as a second predetermined time in advance, and counts the second timer. It is determined whether or not the operating time to perform has exceeded the second predetermined time. When it is determined that the second timer has reached the second predetermined time set in advance, the value of the second timer is reset, and the process proceeds to step S12.

The main power supply and the on-off valve 4 during this humidification operation
3. A control time chart of the fan motor 51 is shown in FIG. <Effects of Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the number of components such as the drain pump and the float switch can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The effects of maintaining the humidification efficiency at all times, preventing the intrusion of dust by the strainer, reducing the water hammer by the flow regulator, and cutting off the city water by the on-off valve are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 12, the water supply amount adjusting section 4 can be constructed outside the main casing 2 and housed in a casing separate from the main casing 2. .

In this case, the location of the main body casing 2 can be freely set by extending the water supply pipe 6 arranged between the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 housed in the main body casing 2 and the water supply amount adjusting section 4. Can be selected.

Further, it is possible to connect a plurality of humidifier bodies to the water supply amount adjusting section 4, and it is possible to humidify a plurality of rooms simply by adding a humidifier body. Further, since the water supply amount adjusting unit 4 and the humidifier main body are separate bodies, maintenance work becomes easy.

A humidifier body provided with a drain pump and a float switch (or a water sensor) as shown in the first embodiment, and a drain pipe for draining water naturally from a drain pan as shown in the second embodiment. In any case of the humidifier body, the third embodiment can be adopted.

Fourth Embodiment <Schematic Configuration> FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Here, water from city water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 via a flow rate regulator 42 for adjusting the water pressure and an on-off valve 43. As described above, the flow regulator 42 can use any one of an electric valve, an orifice, a capillary, a pressure reducing valve, and the like, which can adjust the flow rate. As the on-off valve 43, an air release valve with a solenoid valve can be used, and it is also possible to configure a combination of a check valve and a solenoid valve. A strainer 4 for removing impurities from water supplied from city water.
1 can be placed before the flow regulator 42.

The water supply pipe 75 from the on-off valve 43 is connected in parallel above each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3. A drain pipe 76 is connected below each unit cell 30 of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3, and a water supply amount detection unit 72 is provided.
It is connected to the.

The water supply amount detecting section 72 is provided at a height substantially equal to the water level when the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is full, and a float switch for detecting a predetermined water level in the water supply amount detecting section 72. 73 are provided. In addition, a drain pipe 74 is provided so that water exceeding a certain water level can be discharged in the water supply amount detection unit 72.

<Opening / Closing Control> In the fourth embodiment, by detecting the ON state of the float switch 73, it is possible to detect that the inside of the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is full. Here, by continuing to supply water for a predetermined time after the float switch 73 is turned on, it is possible to cause water to overflow from the water supply amount detection unit 72 and prevent accumulation of dust and the like.

By detecting the off state of the float switch 73, it is possible to detect that a certain amount of water has been consumed in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3. Therefore, water supply can be started based on the time when the float switch 73 is turned off. For example, based on the current operating conditions and the necessity of saving water, the time from when the float switch 73 is turned off to when water supply is started is set in advance, and water supply is started after the predetermined time has elapsed since the float switch 73 is turned off. With this configuration, efficient humidification operation can be performed.

Such control will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 and the time chart shown in FIG. In step S21, the fan motor 51 is turned on to start blowing air into the room. In step S22, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is started. here,
The on / off valve 43 is turned on to open, and water from city water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3.

In step S23, the float switch 73
It is determined whether or not is turned on. When an ON signal is received from the float switch 73, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the ON time of the float switch 73. The predetermined time t1 is set to a time during which a predetermined amount or more of water overflows via the drain pipe 74 in the water supply amount detection unit 72 after the float switch 73 is turned on. Thus, it is possible to prevent accumulation of dust in the moisture permeable membrane unit 3, the water supply amount detection unit 72, and each piping unit. If it is determined that the predetermined time t1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 is stopped. Here, the on-off valve 43 is turned off to be in a closed state, and the supply of water from city water is stopped. In step S26, it is determined whether or not the float switch 73 has been turned off. If an off signal from the float switch 73 has been received, the process proceeds to step S27.

At step S27, the float switch 7
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the off time of Step 3. The predetermined time t2 can be appropriately set in accordance with a desired water supply interval, and can be set in advance in accordance with the operating condition of the humidifier, the outside air environment, the need for water saving, and the like. If it is determined that the predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the off time of the float switch 73, step S22
And start water supply.

[Other Embodiments] As in the first embodiment,
Even when the system includes the drain pump 9 and the float switch 81, the control method using the first timer and the second timer in the second embodiment can be used together.

For example, it is assumed that water is supplied to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 until the time counted by the first timer reaches the first predetermined time. At this time, if the float switch 81 is turned on before the time counted by the first timer reaches the first predetermined time, the count of the first timer is reset and the drain pump 9 is operated to drain water.

With this configuration, the water supply to the moisture permeable membrane unit 3 can be suppressed to a constant amount. Can be prevented, and the water saving effect can be improved.

[0079]

According to the humidifier of the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifier capable of automatically supplying water without requiring any manpower, and it is possible to always maintain a constant humidification efficiency. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a humidifier to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional configuration view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the moisture permeable membrane unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an atmosphere release valve with a solenoid valve.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram showing a main part.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a control time chart thereof.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a modified example regarding the connection of the moisture permeable membrane unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a control flowchart thereof.

FIG. 11 is a control time chart thereof.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart thereof.

FIG. 15 is a control time chart thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier 2 Main body casing 3 Moisture permeable membrane unit 4 Water supply amount adjustment part 5 Cross flow fan 6 Water supply pipe 7 Drainage pipe 8 Drain pan 9 Drain pump 10 Drainage pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F24F 11/02 F24F 11/02 D

Claims (18)

[Claims] A plurality of moisture permeable membrane hollow tubes formed of a moisture permeable membrane that allows only water vapor to pass therethrough are housed in a casing so that air can pass through the hollow portion. A moisture permeable membrane unit (3) provided with a water reservoir in the casing so that the outside of the hollow tube is surrounded by water; and from the lower side or the upper side when the moisture permeable membrane unit (3) is installed. Water supply pipe for supplying water into the casing (6)
And a water supply amount adjusting means (4) connected between the city water and the water supply pipe (6) for adjusting the amount of water supplied into the casing.
A humidifier comprising: a blowing means (5) for passing air through the hollow portion of the moisture permeable membrane hollow tube and discharging the humidified air outward. 2. The water supply amount adjusting means (4) includes an opening / closing means (4) for opening and closing a flow path from city water to the water supply pipe.
3) and opening / closing control means (1) for performing on / off control of the opening / closing means.
The humidifier according to claim 1, comprising: (11). 3. The humidifier according to claim 2, wherein said opening / closing means (43) is an atmosphere opening valve (430) with a solenoid valve. 4. The water supply amount adjusting means (4) includes a strainer (4) for removing impurities from water supplied from city water.
The humidifier according to claim 2, further comprising 1). 5. The water supply amount adjusting means (4) includes a flow rate regulator (42) for adjusting an amount of water supplied from city water.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: 6. The flow regulator (42) includes a flow regulating valve,
The humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the humidifier is formed of any one of an orifice, a capillary, and a pressure reducing valve. 7. An overflow pipe (71) mounted to drain water from above the casing to the outside when water is supplied beyond the capacity of the water storage part. The humidifier according to the above. 8. The humidifier according to claim 7, further comprising a drainage treatment section for draining water overflowing from the overflow pipe (71). 9. A drain pan (8) for collecting water overflowing from the overflow pipe (71), and a drain pipe (18) provided at the bottom of the drain pan (8) for draining natural water. The humidifier according to claim 8, comprising: 10. A drain pan for collecting water overflowing from the overflow pipe, and a drain pump for forcibly sucking water from the drain pan. And a drain pipe (10) for conveying water sucked by the drain pump (9).
The humidifier according to claim 8, comprising: 11. A humidifier according to claim 8, further comprising a water sensor for detecting water overflowing from said overflow pipe (71). 12. A flow switch (8) for detecting that the amount of water accumulated in the drain pan (8) has become constant.
The humidifier according to claim 10, further comprising 1). 13. The opening / closing control means (111) controls the opening / closing of the opening / closing means (43) at a constant water supply time every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidification operation, in order to compensate for the amount of water that is predicted to be used. The humidifier according to any one of claims 2 to 12, which performs the humidification. 14. The humidifier according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined water supply time is set to a time slightly exceeding a water supply time when the water storage section is full. 15. The opening / closing control means (111) starts water supply to the water storage section every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidification operation, and when the water sensor detects overflow water from an overflow pipe. To end the water supply,
The humidifier according to claim 11, wherein the humidifier controls opening and closing of the opening and closing means (43). 16. The opening / closing control means (111) starts water supply to the water storage unit every time a predetermined time elapses during the humidification operation, and the amount of water in the drain pan (8) is controlled by the float switch (81). The humidifier according to claim 12, wherein the opening / closing means (43) is controlled so as to end the water supply when detecting that the water amount has reached a certain amount. 17. The unit cell (30), wherein the moisture permeable membrane unit (3) is composed of a plurality of moisture permeable membrane hollow tubes and a water storage part.
The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a plurality of water supply pipes (6) are provided to supply water in series or in parallel to each unit cell (30). 18. A humidifier body (2) housing said moisture permeable membrane unit (3) and said blowing means (5) integrally in a casing, and a moisture permeable membrane unit in said humidifier body (2). (3) a water supply amount adjustment unit that is connected via the water supply pipe (6) and accommodates the water supply amount adjustment means (4) in a casing formed separately from the casing of the humidifier body (2); The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising: